Distribution of Euphorbia strigosa Hook and Arn a Mexico native plant with ornamental potential

Abstract

The area of historical and current distribution of the pascuilla (Euphorbia strigosa) was determined. It is a plant native to Mexico with ornamental potential that was considered endemic in Nayarit. So far, the information regarding its conservation or culture is scarce and has been published in documents difficult to get access to. In the present study a database with 239 bibliographic records was created. 232 new location coordinates in situ in the state of Nayarit, Mexico were also generated. The above information was analyzed with the geographic information system, ArcGis10. Not having found truthful records of occurrence in another country, the Mexican origin of the species was confirmed. The distribution was located in the west and northwest areas of Mexico, where the Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra del Sur and Trans volcanic Belt converge. The characteristic vegetation is dry forest and coniferous/oak forest. The predominant climates were warm sub-humid and sub-humid temperate. Although the states with the highest occurrence are Jalisco and Nayarit, endemism was discarded for Nayarit because it was located in eight states; however, it could be regarded as an area with great abundance. In the state of Nayarit, wild specimens were found in the municipalities of Tepic, Xalisco and San Pedro Lagunillas.